We know our journals are the engine behind the ADSA community, but have you ever been curious about how the Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) comes together? Join us for a rare look at the stewardship required to keep dairy science’s gold standard journal moving as Matt interviews outgoing Editor in Chief Paul Kononoff, PhD, professor and dairy nutrition extension specialist at the University of Nebraska, and incoming Editor in Chief Laura Hernandez, PhD, professor of lactation physiology and director of the Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Graduate Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. We trace their weaving paths to their dairy science careers, from early days influenced by icons like Bob Collier and Jud Heinrichs to their current roles steering the world’s leading dairy research publication. The conversation details Paul’s tenure, which began just as the global COVID pandemic took hold. He reflects on the “great leap of faith” required to guide the journal through that time of transition, as well as the monumental move to Open Access. The group discusses how ADSA remains committed to providing affordable publishing options for its members, emphasizing the importance of making science accessible to the world, and the refreshed loyalty program designed to reward our dedicated community of reviewers and authors. Listeners will also hear the origins of the JDS Club 100 and the impact of seeing the journal reach a 4.4 Impact Factor under Paul’s leadership.

Looking toward the future, Laura shares her vision for the journal’s next chapter. She tackles the challenges of generative artificial intelligence and explains her goals for growing dairy foods representation through interdisciplinary research that bridges production and processing. The episode wraps up with a look at the essential partnership between JDS and JDS Communications, some surprising revelations about what these two scientists would be doing if they weren’t in academia, and a heartfelt exchange of advice on how to lead by simply listening to the ADSA community.

Episode Thirty-Four Show Notes

Learn more about our guests and follow them on LinkedIn: Paul Kononoff and Laura Hernandez.

Read the journals’ new Artificial Intelligence Policy for Authors.

Join Paul and Laura—and the larger journal community—at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June, and submit your research during our call for abstracts, which closes on February 10, 2026!

Are you looking to publish dairy research in 2026? Save on your article costs via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications when you join the ADSA member community!

Explore articles related to the episode:

Laura Hernandez: Mentor, researcher and leader, Progressive Dairy (2025)

Some closing words to the Journal of Dairy Science community, Journal of Dairy Science (2025)

A note from the Journal of Dairy Science Editor in Chief, Journal of Dairy Science (2026)